What should I see when looking down barrel?

[Shadowchaser]

In the past I've bought guns which are nice to handle and feel right but have never given much regard to proper gun fit.

 

I recently bought a new semi auto and when mounting and looking down the barrel, the middle bead and end bead line up in the figure of eight, which is what I believe they should do. In effect I'm looking along the rib.

 

Now back to my O/U with single bead, when mounted it looks like I'm looking down a bowling alley. I can see the whole rib and the bead at the end.

 

I assume that's not the best fit?

 

 

[fortune]

Go look at Chris Batha in youtube. Gun mount.

PS. dont smash the hall miror when mounting. both goood guides

 

 

Edited May 7, 2017 by fortune

[JDog]

I know that my guns fit when I see neither rib nor bead, only the target.

[wymberley]

I know that my guns fit when I see neither rib nor bead, only the target.

Sadly, for me that would simply mean I'd forgotten it.

[Walker570]

I wouldn't know where the rib is or the front sight. I just look at the bird.

[Wymondley]

Which of the guns do you shoot better with?

 

There's a danger in over thinking the issue.

[wymberley]

If, while concentrating on the bird, you are not aware in any shape or form of where the barrels are/don't see them, how do you work out where you might have missed, or don't you ever do so?

[discobob]

Figure out where you hit - not where you miss

 

Let your buddy tell you if you are over or under leading/too high/low - it is all about the sight picture and only your subconscious mind should see the barrels

[welshwarrior]

If, while concentrating on the bird, you are not aware in any shape or form of where the barrels are/don't see them, how do you work out where you might have missed, or don't you ever do so?

Ok try something for me look at a fixed point say a the stand by light on the tv now lock your arm out straight and point your finger you can move your arm about while still focussing on the point and know where your finger is pointing you don't need to look at your finger. A shotgun that fits is the same.

[manthing]

Interesting thread.

Spechley for us newbies

[wymberley]

Ok try something for me look at a fixed point say a the stand by light on the tv now lock your arm out straight and point your finger you can move your arm about while still focussing on the point and know where your finger is pointing you don't need to look at your finger. A shotgun that fits is the same.

OK, did that for you - several times to make sure I was doing as you asked. Not surprisingly, I didn't have to look at my finger when focusing on the 'target' but could always 'see' it unless I waved it about so much that I lost it from my peripheral vision. The point I was making relates to those who say that they don't 'see' anything except for the bird. Of course, we don't stare at the target - that's known as 'target fixation' (has killed many pilots) which in our case doing so usually means that you stop the swing and end up poking at it.

[wymberley]

Figure out where you hit - not where you miss

 

Let your buddy tell you if you are over or under leading/too high/low - it is all about the sight picture and only your subconscious mind should see the barrels

Careful he doesn't base that on where he saw the wad go.

[manthing]

For the life of me I can't see the shot as it travels...

Any body produce bright orange shot??

[oldypigeonpopper]

For the life of me I can't see the shot as it travels...

Any body produce bright orange shot??

hello, i am sure there use to be a cartridge called a tracer back in the 1970/80s ? do a search on the fioochi brand, also a search on barrel sightings as there was another posting some time back.

Edited May 8, 2017 by oldypigeonpopper

[ips]

In the past I've bought guns which are nice to handle and feel right but have never given much regard to proper gun fit.

 

I recently bought a new semi auto and when mounting and looking down the barrel, the middle bead and end bead line up in the figure of eight, which is what I believe they should do. In effect I'm looking along the rib.

 

Now back to my O/U with single bead, when mounted it looks like I'm looking down a bowling alley. I can see the whole rib and the bead at the end.

 

I assume that's not the best fit?

 

 

I think people are missing the point of the question (forgive me if I am wrong) the op is talking gun fit or rather comb height rather than what he sees whilst taking the shot.

 

Shadowchaser

You are correct with the fig 8 that is exactly what you should see. As for guns with no mid bead place a pound coin on the rib close to the lever, you should see bead sitting on coin when mounted in usual way. This is a rule of thumb, some trap shooters may want a little fraction higher some game or sporting shooters may prefer a little less.

[wymberley]

For the life of me I can't see the shot as it travels...

Any body produce bright orange shot??

As ever, it's practice, but is also dependent upon backdrop - blue sky, cloud, trees,etc,etc, but also how much of an idiot you want to look until you've got the hang of it.

Stand back a bit from the Gun/gun and casually look (gawp) at the clay - don't stare at it because you're taking in the surrounding area. You're looking for a grey smudge, but it's quick and if you blink you'll probably miss it to start with.

Here's the idiot (gormless) bit; open your mouth.

 

Stupid?

 

Close you mouth and read this post. Now open it and read it again. What didn't you do the second time - the clue is already mentioned.

[Smokersmith]

I think people are missing the point of the question (forgive me if I am wrong) the op is talking gun fit or rather comb height rather than what he sees whilst taking the shot.

 

Shadowchaser

You are correct with the fig 8 that is exactly what you should see. As for guns with no mid bead place a pound coin on the rib close to the lever, you should see bead sitting on coin when mounted in usual way. This is a rule of thumb, some trap shooters may want a little fraction higher some game or sporting shooters may prefer a little less.

 

I believe this will help the OP the most with his initial question.

[welshwarrior]

OK, did that for you - several times to make sure I was doing as you asked. Not surprisingly, I didn't have to look at my finger when focusing on the 'target' but could always 'see' it unless I waved it about so much that I lost it from my peripheral vision. The point I was making relates to those who say that they don't 'see' anything except for the bird. Of course, we don't stare at the target - that's known as 'target fixation' (has killed many pilots) which in our case doing so usually means that you stop the swing and end up poking at it.

That's the point you see where the barrels are but your not looking at them your totally focused on the bird.

 

As to staring and not seeing the barrels makes you poke I disagree with that but that's opinions for you.

[wymberley]

OK, did that for you - several times to make sure I was doing as you asked. Not surprisingly, I didn't have to look at my finger when focusing on the 'target' but could always 'see' it unless I waved it about so much that I lost it from my peripheral vision. The .point I was making relates to those who say that they don't 'see' anything except the bird.Of course, we don't stare at the target - that's known as 'target fixation' (has killed many pilots) which in our case doing so usually means that you stop the swing and end up poking at it.

We're at cross purposes. How can you see where the barrels are when you don't see anything but the bird? Mightily confusing to any novice I fancy.

 

That's the point you see where the barrels are but your not looking at them your totally focused on the bird.

 

As to staring and not seeing the barrels makes you poke I disagree with that but that's opinions for you.

We're at cross purposes. Where did I say, "and not seeing the barrels". Yep, we'll agree to differ on this one. Excessive concentration on any one element is often a distraction for the others.

[Shadowchaser]

I think people are missing the point of the question (forgive me if I am wrong) the op is talking gun fit or rather comb height rather than what he sees whilst taking the shot.

 

Shadowchaser

You are correct with the fig 8 that is exactly what you should see. As for guns with no mid bead place a pound coin on the rib close to the lever, you should see bead sitting on coin when mounted in usual way. This is a rule of thumb, some trap shooters may want a little fraction higher some game or sporting shooters may prefer a little less.

Yes this is indeed my point. I will try the pound coin test and see how that fits.

 

Thanks.

[ips]

Your welcome

Out of interest please report back what you see with coin in place. And confirm what discipline you shoot.

[grrclark]

There is no real right or wrong sight picture it is what is right for you. The higher your eye then the more rib that you will see. Some shots like to see a lot of rib as that means the target is generally always in sight and others like to see little or no rib and always have the target right on the end of the barrel (forgetting lead for a moment).

 

If you can maintain a consistent sight picture through having a consistent mount and keeping your head on the gun then you will also shoot consistently, the gun will always be shooting where you are looking. You establish a relationship between barrel and target. No different to driving a car with a long bonnet or a short bonnet, or a low slung sports car versus a tall 4x4. Developing a repeatable relationship of the barrel in your peripheral vision relative to the object that you are looking at is the key, good gun fit achieves that rather than a prescriptive one size fits all sight picture.

 

I stood behind a USA national team shooter at the world fitasc last year who mounted the gun with the comb in the centre of his chin. He was a very big lad and couldn't mount the gun consistently in his shoulder so he mounted it in the centre of his chest, with each eye looking down each side of the barrel. The fella could shoot to a standard that would best the vast majority of shooters on this forum.

[Will Poon]

grrclark, I'm not disputing the American guys shooting abilities but don't you have to shoulder the gun when shooting fitasc after the clay can be seen?

[figgy]

Must classed as less abled due to his size and not being able to mount the gun conventionally. You would think they could make a stock to suit his shap but maybe not.

[Smokersmith]

grrclark, I'm not disputing the American guys shooting abilities but don't you have to shoulder the gun when shooting fitasc after the clay can be seen?

 

What made you think he wasn't? I only saw a comment on how he mounted, not when?